FIRE ON AVENUE E – Firefighters confronted a fully involved kitchen fire in the basement of an Avenue E building at about 4 p.m. on June 25. Crews advanced hose lines into the building and extinguished the blaze that was threatening the structure. The basement suffered fire/smoke and water damage, and the two apartments above were impacted by smoke. Four adults and four children were displaced as a result. Two fire fighters were injured from a fall on the stairs due to slippery conditions as a result of torrential rains. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Bayonne firefighters responded to report of a major gas leak after a 16-inch gas line ruptured in near the Country Village section of Jersey City on June 25. The line reportedly broke around 10:05 a.m. during water main repairs in the area just north of 63rd Street and Kennedy Boulevard.

The Bayonne Fire Department monitored the air on the Bayonne border, reporting no elevated readings. The City Line Plaza was evacuated as a precaution against wind shifts, and occupants were allowed to return later in the evening. Repairs are continuing in Jersey City, reportedly following a controlled drop in gas line pressure.

High school drowning victim remembered

Students in Bayonne High School’s Class of 2012, who graduated a week ago, put together a makeshift memorial for a student whose body was found at the Jersey Shore last week.

Dakota Santiago, the photographer, wrote, “These are photos from a gathering put together by the Class of 2012 that took place at Bayonne High School Thursday night for the mourning of the [recent] graduate, Bestravos Faris, who sadly drowned down the shore.”

For the photographs, see the related post at hudsonreporter.com.

Faris, 18, a recent graduate of Bayonne High School, was found by the New Jersey State Marine Police boat a day after he went missing off Seaside Park. Faris’s body was discovered just off the O Street beach where he disappeared. The State Police used sonar equipment to locate the body. It took them less than 45 minutes from the time they arrived.

Mayor Mark Smith expressed his condolences to the youth’s family. “It’s tragic to hear of a young life ending under such circumstances,” said Smith. “This young man’s life was just about to begin and it’s heartbreaking to hear this news.”

Assemblyman Jason O’Donnell, who is Bayonne’s public safety director, said he was “sorry to have to report that the body of an 18-year-old Bayonne man, Bestavros Faris, was recovered in the waters off of Seaside Park. Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of this young man.” O’Donnell said that the Bayonne police were working in full cooperation with the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, the N.J. State Police and the U.S. Coast Guard during the investigation.

“He was always so happy; his smile was radiant,” said Donna Hurley Zervoulis, one of Faris’ former teachers. “He studied so hard. He never gave excuses. He was so honest. If someone needed something, he was the first to volunteer. He was too good to be true.”

She recalled that he could recite the poem “The Raven” from memory, for which he often got a standing ovation.

At the end of the school, he was asked to supply a list of his accomplishments, and he wrote, “I helped build my church.” He apparently spent his weekends doing just that.

“The day he received that acceptance to NJIT, he came running to my room to tell me he made it,” Zervoulis recalled. “After graduation practice, he came to my room to say goodbye. I looked at the girls that were sitting my class and said, ‘He’s perfect,’ which I knew would make him laugh.”

Visit by Bishop brings excitement to Trinity Parish Rector-elect, Father Gregory G. Perez, his associate the Reverend Rose Cohen Hassan, and the people of Trinity Parish welcomed the Right Reverend Mark M. Beckwith, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, for his official visit to the parish on June 17.

Before the service started, the Bishop walked around the church property with Father Perez, Reverend Hassan, and the Vestry (the board of the parish) to look at the surrounding community and to discuss ministry to the community of Bayonne.

The service started outside as Bishop Beckwith blessed the new Community Garden. This garden is the result of a joint effort of church members, H.I.G.H.W.A.Y.S., a part of the Windmill Alliance, (and a ministry of Trinity Parish), and the GWFC Peninsula Women’s Club. Food grown from the garden will be distributed to people receiving food from H.I.G.H.W.A.Y.S. Food Pantry.

Next, the Bishop led the congregation to the Church’s refurbished sign situated at the front of the church, in order to bless it. German artist Lothar Scholz contributed his time and talent to refurbish the sign, which was erected on the church property decades ago.

All are welcome to attend church events. Sunday services begin at 9:30 AM. During the summer, children are welcome to attend a summer program of fun activities held at the same time. The church is located at the corner of Fifth Street and Broadway.